Regional Administration, Security Agencies and ACA Strengthen Anti-Counterfeit Enforcement in Kakamega

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) convened a Stakeholder Capacity Building Forum on Intellectual Property Protection and Anti-Counterfeiting Enforcement in Kakamega County as part of its ongoing Western Region engagements.The forum brought together regional administration, security agencies, enforcement bodies, and private sector stakeholders to enhance coordination in combating counterfeit trade within the Western Kenya region.
Officially opening the forum, Irungu Macharia, Regional Commissioner – Kakamega Region, underscored that counterfeit trade poses a serious threat to regional security, public safety, and economic stability.

He emphasized that Kakamega’s strong agricultural base and commercial activity require heightened vigilance to protect farmers, traders, and consumers from the risks associated with counterfeit goods, including fake agricultural inputs, illicit alcohol, and substandard electrical components.
The Regional Commissioner noted that illicit trade networks often exploit enforcement gaps and called for strengthened intelligence sharing, coordinated inspections, and sustained inter-agency collaboration to prevent counterfeit goods from infiltrating local markets.
He was accompanied by Onesmus Kyatha, County Commissioner – Kakamega, alongside representatives of regional security organs, reinforcing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lawful enterprise.
During the forum, officials from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority highlighted enforcement trends within the Western region and sensitized participants on the legal framework governing intellectual property protection, procedures for inspection and seizure, and mechanisms for reporting suspected counterfeit activities.
Stakeholders emphasized the importance of combining enforcement with public awareness to build a stronger first line of defense against illicit trade.
The engagement reaffirmed the need for sustained collaboration between national and county structures, enforcement agencies, security teams, and the private sector in protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses, and strengthening market integrity within the Western region.